BTS vs Mighty Networks: Why We Built It Differently (2026)

When creators ask us how BTS compares to Mighty Networks, we don't dodge the question. We built BTS because we saw something broken in the creator economy, and we think our approach is fundamentally different. Mighty Networks has been around since 2017, they've built a solid community platform, and plenty of creators have found success there. We respect that.

But here's the thing: we didn't set out to build "another community platform." BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. That's not a tagline—it's a philosophy that shaped every decision we made.

If you're weighing BTS against Mighty Networks, you're asking the right question. Both platforms help creators monetize their audience. Both offer community features. But we built them from completely different starting points, and understanding those differences will help you choose the right foundation for your creator business.

In this comparison, we'll be straight with you. We'll tell you where Mighty Networks genuinely shines (and they do in some areas). We'll explain why we made different choices. And we'll help you figure out which platform fits the business you're trying to build.

Quick Comparison Table

Why We Built BTS Differently

The creator economy is fragmented. That's not an opinion—it's the reality that every creator we talk to describes. You've got your courses on Teachable, your community on Circle or Mighty Networks, your payments through Stripe, your email on ConvertKit, your content scattered across five different platforms. None of these tools talk to each other. None of them feel like your brand. And at the end of the day, you're stitching together a patchwork that never quite becomes a real business.

From our experience: "Most creator platforms optimize for transactions, not ownership. We've seen creators with six-figure revenues who still don't feel like they own their business."

We built BTS as creator business infrastructure. Not a community tool. Not a course platform. Not a monetization layer. Infrastructure. The pipes that run behind the scenes so you can focus on what actually matters: creating content, building relationships, and growing something you own.

When we say "ownership," we mean it philosophically and practically. Your audience data belongs to you. Your brand identity stays intact. Your business structure makes sense from day one, not after you've cobbled together five different tools that each take their own cut.

What we've learned: "The most successful creator businesses aren't built on communities or courses—they're built on infrastructure that supports both."

Here's what we saw with existing platforms: they force you to choose. Community OR courses. Subscriptions OR one-time payments. Simple design OR powerful features. We don't think creators should have to make those tradeoffs. Everything should run behind the scenes in one space.

Mighty Networks started as a community platform and added other features over time. We started by asking: what does a creator actually need to build a real business? Then we built that infrastructure from scratch.

Where Mighty Networks Shines

Let's be honest about where Mighty Networks does well. We're confident in what we've built, not insecure about acknowledging good work elsewhere.

Native Mobile Apps

Mighty Networks has invested heavily in native iOS and Android apps, and it shows. Their mobile experience is genuinely polished, and for communities where members primarily engage via mobile, that's a real advantage. Their Growth Plan ($354/month) and Mighty Pro tier even offer custom-branded apps with your own icon in the App Store.

We took a different approach. BTS is web-first with responsive design that works beautifully on mobile browsers. We don't think most creator businesses need a standalone app—and frankly, getting members to download yet another app is harder than sending them a link. But if native mobile apps are essential to your community model, Mighty Networks delivers here.

Community-Centric Features

Mighty Networks was built community-first, and they've refined those features over eight years. Their Spaces feature lets you create topic-based sub-communities. Their events integration is solid. Their member directories and engagement tools are mature.

BTS's take: "Community features matter, but they're one piece of creator business infrastructure—not the foundation."

We include robust community features, but we don't treat community as the center of gravity. For some creators, that difference matters. If you're building a community-first model where courses and content are secondary, Mighty Networks has purpose-built tools for that.

Established Track Record

Mighty Networks launched in 2017 and has years of refinement behind them. They've helped thousands of creators build communities. Their documentation is extensive, their use cases are well-documented, and they've solved edge cases we're still encountering.

We launched in 2024. We're newer, we're scrappier, and we're moving fast. That means we're also more agile—we ship updates weekly and our roadmap responds directly to creator feedback. But some creators want battle-tested stability, and that's fair.

Where We Think We're Better

Now let's talk about why we built BTS—and why we think our approach serves most creators better.

Design That Feels Like Your Brand

Our recommendation: "Based on working with 1,600+ creators, we suggest building on a platform that makes your business look like a business, not a course portal from 2015."

Mighty Networks has a functional interface, but it looks like... a platform. Members know they're "in" Mighty Networks. The design language, navigation patterns, and overall aesthetic signal "community software."

BTS was designed to disappear. We want your brand to be the star, not ours. Our design is modern, minimal, and brand-forward. When members land on your BTS-powered business, they see your brand, not our platform. This isn't vanity—it affects how members perceive value and how willing they are to pay premium prices.

From our experience: "Circle feels like back-office software. Mighty Networks feels like a community app. BTS feels like a modern, public-facing creator business."

Getting Started (Actually) Fast

Mighty Networks advertises easy setup, but the reality is more complex. You're choosing between four pricing tiers, configuring Spaces, understanding their AI Cohost features, setting up payment processing, figuring out what's included at your price point. It's a lot.

We designed BTS to get you earning in a day. Our Starter plan is completely free—no credit card, no trial that expires, no artificial limitations that force you to upgrade before you're ready. Set up your first offering, connect your Stripe account, share a link. Done.

Our data shows: "Most creators launch on BTS within 24 hours. That's not marketing—it's how we designed the product."

Fee Structure That Makes Sense

Let's talk money. Mighty Networks charges:

• Monthly subscription ($79-$354/month for most users)
• Transaction fees (2-3% depending on plan)
• Payment processing fees (Stripe's standard fees)

BTS charges:

• Starter Plan: Free, with 10% platform fee
• Pro Plan: $149/month with 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction

What we've learned: "For creators just starting, paying $79-$249/month before you've made a dollar is a real barrier. Our free Starter plan removes that entirely."

The math works differently depending on your revenue. At lower volumes, our free tier wins easily. At higher volumes, our Pro plan's 3.5% fee often beats Mighty Networks' combined subscription + transaction fees. Run your own numbers, but we designed our pricing to be competitive at every stage.

One Place, Everything Integrated

Mighty Networks offers community, courses, and events—but courses require the $129/month plan or higher. Want a branded app? That's $354/month minimum, or custom Mighty Pro pricing (often $30,000+ per year).

On BTS, every creator gets access to subscriptions, one-time payments, pay-per-view, courses, community features, and more. We don't gate core business features behind higher tiers. We believe every creator should be able to build a complete business from day one.

BTS gives creators one place to build something they own. Not one place if you pay enough. One place, period.

Ownership Philosophy

This is where we fundamentally differ. Mighty Networks is a community platform that helps creators monetize. BTS is creator business infrastructure designed for ownership.

What does ownership mean practically?

• Your data: Full export of members, purchases, and engagement data anytime.
• Your brand: Custom domains, full design control, your identity front-and-center.
• Your business logic: Flexible monetization without being locked into one model.
• Your growth: We focus on structure and momentum, not algorithms.

BTS is not a social network or a marketplace. We don't decide what members see through algorithmic feeds. We don't suggest other creators' content. Your audience stays yours.

Who Should Choose Mighty Networks

We believe in fit over features. Some creators genuinely belong on Mighty Networks, and we'd rather you succeed there than struggle here.

Choose Mighty Networks If:

Your business is community-first. If the beating heart of your offering is discussion-based community engagement, and courses/content are secondary, Mighty Networks has spent eight years optimizing for exactly that. Their Spaces, events, and member engagement tools are purpose-built for community-centric models.

Native mobile apps are essential. If your members will primarily engage via mobile app, and having your own branded icon in the App Store matters to your business, Mighty Networks offers this at their Growth tier and above. We don't.

You prefer mature, established platforms. If you want battle-tested software with extensive documentation and years of edge cases solved, Mighty Networks has that track record. We're newer and moving faster, which means occasional rough edges.

You have budget for mid-tier pricing from day one. If you're comfortable paying $129+/month before validating your offering, Mighty Networks' feature set at that price point is solid.

Specific Use Cases Where Mighty Networks Wins:

• Running a community where members connect primarily with each other (not just with you)
• Building a mobile-first experience where app store presence matters
• Hosting frequent live events as your core engagement model
• Managing large communities (100+ moderators) with complex hierarchies

Who Should Choose BTS

We built BTS for a specific type of creator, and if this describes you, we think you'll find a home here.

Choose BTS If:

You're an education-focused creator with an existing audience. If you've built an audience of 10,000+ and you have expertise to share, BTS gives you the infrastructure to turn that into a real business. Courses, community, subscriptions, one-time products—everything integrated.

BTS's take: "If a creator has an audience but no structure, BTS is the answer."

You want to own your business, not rent it. If you're tired of platforms that feel like landlords—taking their cut, controlling your audience, owning the relationship—BTS was built for you. We run the infrastructure behind the scenes. You own everything else.

You value design and brand experience. If you want your creator business to look and feel premium, if your brand matters and you don't want to compromise it for platform constraints, BTS delivers modern, brand-forward design that makes you proud to share your link.

You're starting lean and want to grow. Our free Starter plan lets you launch and validate before investing. No credit card, no expiring trial, no pressure. Start earning, then upgrade when it makes sense.

You want to move fast. If the thought of spending weeks configuring a platform exhausts you, if you want to launch this week and iterate from there, BTS gets you to revenue faster than any platform we've seen.

Specific Use Cases Where BTS Wins:

• Building a course-based business with integrated community
• Creating membership offerings with multiple tiers and products
• Maintaining strong brand identity across all touchpoints
• Starting from zero revenue and scaling efficiently
• Wanting one platform instead of five stitched together

Making the Switch

If you're currently on Mighty Networks and considering BTS, here's what migration looks like.

What We Help With:

We've helped creators migrate from Mighty Networks, Circle, Patreon, Teachable, and dozens of other platforms. Our creator success team provides hands-on support for:

• Member migration: We help you communicate the switch to your existing members and make the transition seamless.
• Content transfer: Your courses, content, and resources can move over. We'll help you structure them optimally for BTS.
• Payment continuity: For subscription businesses, we help minimize disruption and manage the transition timeline.

What Transfers Easily:

• Course content and curriculum structure
• Community guidelines and rules
• Pricing tiers and membership structures
• Member contact information (with appropriate permissions)

What Requires Rebuilding:

• Community discussions and post history (platform-specific)
• Member engagement metrics (fresh start on BTS)
• Platform-specific integrations

Migration Timeline:

Most creators complete migration within 1-2 weeks, with minimal disruption to existing members. We've paid out over $1,400,000 to creators on our platform—migration doesn't have to mean starting over.

Our recommendation: "Don't wait for the 'perfect' time to switch. The best time is when you've outgrown your current platform's limitations, and the second-best time is before those limitations cost you members."

Our Honest Take

Here's the bottom line: Mighty Networks is a solid community platform with genuine strengths. Their mobile apps are polished. Their community features are mature. They've helped thousands of creators build engaged audiences.

But we built BTS because we think the creator economy needs something different.

BTS is the creator business infrastructure. We focus on structure and momentum, not algorithms. We believe creators should own their businesses, not rent them from platforms. We think design matters, speed matters, and getting started shouldn't require a $200/month commitment before you've made your first dollar.

We're not trying to be everything to everyone. We're building for creators who want to turn content and community into real businesses. If that's you, we'd love to show you what we've built.

Try our free Starter plan. No credit card, no expiring trial, no pressure. Launch something, see how it feels, and decide for yourself. Everything runs behind the scenes in one space—and that space is yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does BTS cost?

BTS offers a free Starter plan to get started with a 10% platform fee on transactions. Our Pro plan is $149/month with a reduced 3.5% + 30¢ fee. Unlike Mighty Networks, you can launch and earn without paying monthly fees upfront. Check our pricing page for the complete breakdown.

Is BTS free to use?

Yes! Our Starter plan is completely free—no credit card required, no trial that expires. You can launch your creator business, start earning, and only pay our 10% platform fee on actual revenue. Upgrade to Pro when the math makes sense for your volume.

What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?

We focus on creator business infrastructure, not just monetization or community. Everything runs behind the scenes in one place: courses, community, subscriptions, one-time payments, and more. Most platforms optimize for transactions—we optimize for ownership.

Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?

Absolutely. We help creators migrate from platforms like Mighty Networks, Patreon, Teachable, and others. Our creator success team provides hands-on support to make the transition seamless. Your members can transfer without friction, and we'll help you communicate the switch effectively.

How long does it take to set up BTS?

Most creators launch within a day. Our onboarding is designed to get you earning quickly, not buried in configuration. Create your first offering, connect Stripe, share your link—that's it. We've seen creators go from signup to first sale in under 24 hours.

Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?

Yes, transparently. Our Starter plan takes 10% (no monthly fee). Our Pro plan takes 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction ($149/month subscription). Unlike some platforms, we don't have hidden fees or surprise charges. Check our pricing page for the exact breakdown.

What kind of support does BTS offer?

We provide hands-on creator success support. Real humans who understand your business, not just ticket systems. Our team has helped 1,600+ creators launch and grow. When you have questions, you get answers from people who've seen what works.

Can I use my own domain with BTS?

Yes, Pro members can connect custom domains to create a fully branded experience. Your members visit your URL, see your brand, experience your design. BTS runs behind the scenes while your identity stays front and center.

Is BTS better than Mighty Networks?

It depends on your needs. We built BTS for creators who want to own their business infrastructure. Mighty Networks excels at community-first models and native mobile apps. If you're building a course-based business with integrated community, value design, and want to start lean, we think BTS is the better fit.

Can I use both BTS and Mighty Networks?

Some creators do run multiple platforms during transition periods. But most find BTS handles everything they need in one place—courses, community, subscriptions, payments—without the complexity of managing multiple tools. Consolidation usually wins.

Does BTS have a mobile app?

BTS is web-first with responsive design optimized for mobile browsers. We don't offer native iOS/Android apps like Mighty Networks. For most creator businesses, this works great—members access via any browser without downloading another app. If native mobile apps are essential to your model, that's a genuine advantage Mighty Networks offers.

What payment methods does BTS support?

BTS integrates with Stripe for payment processing, supporting all major credit and debit cards globally. Payouts happen in 1-5 days (same-day in the US). We're available globally except for a few restricted regions.

Can I sell courses on BTS?

Yes, courses are included on every BTS plan—free Starter and Pro. Unlike Mighty Networks, you don't need to upgrade to a $129+/month tier to sell courses. Create structured learning experiences, drip content, bundle with community access, however you want to deliver education.

How does BTS handle subscriptions?

We support monthly and annual subscriptions with full flexibility. You set your prices, you control the tiers, you decide what's included. Free trials, paid trials, subscription bundles—everything runs through one integrated system.

What happens to my content if I leave BTS?

Your content belongs to you. We provide full data export so you can take your member list, content, and business data with you. We believe in ownership even when that means making it easy to leave.

Does BTS have community features?

Yes. Community is part of our integrated infrastructure—discussion spaces, member interaction, engagement tools. The difference is we don't treat community as the center of gravity. It's one piece of your creator business, not the only piece.

How many members can I have on BTS?

We don't artificially limit member counts on any plan. Your audience is yours—grow as big as you can. No surprise fees when you hit arbitrary thresholds.

What kind of creators use BTS?

Education-focused creators in clear niches: business, fitness, entrepreneurship, creative skills. Creators with audiences of 10,000+ who have expertise to share. We've paid out over $1,400,000 to creators across these categories.

Can I sell one-time products on BTS?

Yes. Subscriptions, one-time payments, pay-per-view, bundles—BTS supports multiple monetization models. You're not locked into subscriptions only or one-time only. Mix and match based on what your audience wants.

Does BTS integrate with other tools?

BTS is designed to be your central creator business hub, reducing the need for multiple integrations. That said, we support key integrations for email, analytics, and payments. Our philosophy is consolidation over fragmentation.

Key Takeaways

• BTS is creator business infrastructure; Mighty Networks is a community platform with added features
• We offer a free Starter plan; Mighty Networks starts at $79/month
• Mighty Networks excels at native mobile apps; BTS excels at design and speed to launch
• Both platforms work—the right choice depends on whether you're community-first or business-first
• Migration from Mighty Networks to BTS is straightforward with our creator success support

About the Author

The BTS Team is the Product Team at BTS. We're creators, builders, and operators who've seen firsthand how fragmented the creator economy has become. We built BTS to solve that problem—giving creators one place to build something they own.

We've helped 1,600+ creators launch and grow their businesses, paid out over $1,400,000, and we're just getting started. If you're ready to turn content and community into a real business, we built this for you.

This article reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026.

Related Articles

• Looking for a Mighty Networks Alternative? Here's Why We Built BTS (2026)
• BTS vs Gumroad: Why We Built It Differently (2026)
• BTS vs Whop: Why We Built It Differently (2026)
• BTS vs Circle: Why We Built It Differently (2026)
• BTS vs Skool: Why We Built It Differently (2026)